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December 26, 2017

For the third year running, following the principle established by Kaiso “think of others’ happiness as well as their own”, SHOKEMA Branch in cooperation with CARRANQUE, BIZNAGA, MALAKA Branch and Themis Association ―a non-profit organization whose main function is integrating immigrants into the culture of Málaga and helping less favored people― have decided to bring Christmas a little closer to those who cannot afford it.

In previous years we succeeded in collecting toys and staple food for these groups. This year we have collected Christmas food that was delivered on November 23 to the members of Themis Association, along with representatives of all the dojos who have devoted their time and effort to reach this wonderful goal that will enable a lot of families to have a merry Christmas.

 

Kenshi from Auckland Central Branch and North Shore Branch were invited to perform an embu demonstration at the 2017 Japan Day festival of Japanese culture held at The Cloud Events Centre, Queens Wharf, Auckland on 26th February 2017. The event is an annual celebration hosted by The Japanese Society of Auckland and the Consulate –General of Japan in Auckland. The event features Japanese martial arts, cuisine, art , music , dance and popular culture .

Kenshi from both branches had been preparing embus for about a month prior to the event and it was a great opportunity to show to the Auckland public a wide variety of embus including Dantai ( group embu) , senior men and women performing paired embu and  shakujo embu as well as  children demonstrating basic techniques. It was good to see a number of minarai kenshi who were prepared to demonstrate Tenchken Dai Ikkai in front of a large crowd. We wanted to show that Shorinji Kempo is a martial art which appeals to men , women and children of all ages. The demonstration was well received and as a result we received enquiries from people who were interested in joining Shorinji Kempo.

The participants in the demonstration were:

Steve Young and Takeyuki Morita ( Auckland Central branch ) performing an embu with tanto ( knife) .

Manuel Agbayani and Nathaniel Changco ( Auckland Central branch) performing a paired embu.

Sean McIlvride ( North Shore branch) and Takeyuki Morita ( Auckland Central branch) demonstrating some basic goho and juho techniques slowly and fast.

Rob Burnett , Junior Paepaerei and Sean McIlvride ( North Shore Branch) demonstrating shakujo in single and pair form.

Jarrod Moreton and Nick Howdle  ( North Shore branch ) kyu kenshi performing a paired embu.

Kazuko Noichi and Kanae Atsumi ( Auckland Central branch) performing a paired embu.

Minarai kenshi performing a group embu demonstrating basic techniques.

November 19, 2015

SHOKEMA BRANCH ANNIVERSARY

The last 7th of November the Gasshuku of the 20th anniversary of the foundation of Shokema Association was held at Carranque sport center in Malaga.
The event took place from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm and it consisted in practice of chinkon gyo, kihon, goho and juho techniques by grade, randori and self defense.

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The event counted with the participation of the next instructors:

Instructor Branch
Toni Gómez, Francisco Muñoz Shokema
Ángel D. Pacheco Biznaga
Norberto Criado Mulhacén
José Ángel Brao Generalife
Juan García Malaka
Rogelio Casero Axarquía

 

May 23, 2015

The tournament opened up with 63 students participants performing meditation (Chinkon) which was conducted by Lisa U. and Dabo by Justin N. and Kihon basic practice by Thomas P.   Opening group kata demonstration of Tenchi Ken Dai Ikkei to Yonkei were demonstrated by all Black Belt students in perfect unison.  Three courts were setup for students to present their Kata and the importance of good Kamae (Stance), Kiai, Chosoku-Zanshin, Happo Moku, Breathing, Rhythm and Accuracy were further discussed with all participating students.
Several parents who actively participated as they are Shorinji Kempo students; Yamanaka, Dinh, Sophia, Thomas, Phi & Yukiko.  These parents truly lead by example!!!   First, second, third and fourth place results were announced in the Children, Kyu and Black Belt divisions. The students received medals and loud applause from the audience.  We also held oten yori oki agari contest where Noah Hoang won !!!!
Upon completion of the Shorinji Kempo Taikai (Tournament), advanced practice session of Goho and Juho techniques was conducted by Hagata sensei and Rastogi sensei. The Taikai closed with a Leadership Seminar which was attended by all of the black belt and several brown belt students.  We had surprise student guest Cindy Wong who recently was admitted to University of California, Berkeley along with another kenshi Songvy Nguyen.  Another kenshi graduating high school and heading to college is Alexandria Samuel.   CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THREE!!!!
FIXED FORM – KATA RESULTS 

1st Place Angeline, Nadalie, Kevin, Vanessa, Valerie, Kevin Q, Dinh, Haley, Katelyn, Christine, Nathan, Brandon, Gaganjyot, Noah Ho, Lauren, Nicholas, Tammy, Ichiro, Yulisa, Justin, Mike
2nd Place Eddie, Hannah, Bao, Sophia D., Allyson, Sarah, Jennifer, Jonathan, Noah H. Kelley Q. Phi, Anson, Emily, Liset, Lily, Lisa U., Corbin

3rd Place Ethan, Tien, Evelyn P., Nicholas T, Thien, Esther, Thien, Samantha, Logan, Lana, Musashi, Gladys, Sydni, Thomas

4th Place Tri, Sophia P, Jill, Cindy, Eric, Lily, Connor, Andrew, Yukiko
Gassho! 
Shorinji Kempo Orange County Branch

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This article is dedicated to all students and families who continue to give back to the community we live in.  Orange County Shorinji Kempo Branch located in Southern California students (Kenshi) lives “Half’s for one’s own happiness and half for the happiness of others”. On May 2th, 2015   23 Shorinji Kempo students and parents volunteered their energy to clean and paint the schools bathrooms and lockers at Bethune middle school.  Bethune’s vision has many similarities to Shorinji Kempo. Bethune’s goal is to have parents and teachers working in harmony.  To raise students who are socially and academically aware for creating a better society.

23 Shorinji Kempo students and parents drove at 7:15am in a caravan of cars to Bethune Middle school. Upon arrival we checked in and received water, T-Shirts and energy bars.  Located in Los Angeles, Bethune middle school has several 2 and 3 story brick buildings that require cleaning from time to time. Mike H. and Lisa U separated over 100 volunteers into distinct groups to challenge numerous paint and cleanup projects.  Much to a pleasant surprise, the school hand painted some Shorinji Kempo banners for us.  The Shorinji Kempo students Team #2 cleaned several floors, classroom lockers, painted bathrooms and picked up debris inside and around the school.  

The cleaning and painting moved like a perfect Kumi Embu (Pair Form) symphony of students, teachers and parents. Timing, accuracy, distance, speed and angle were some of the “key elements of Atemi” that described the 23 kenshi’s actions.   Speed seemed to be our biggest asset.  We completed many of the tasks in only a few hours.  Another great Shorinji Kempo community service event locked in time !!!! The pictures of the event speak for themselves.

The day ended with many of us going to the Avengers movie “Age of Ultron”.   We all have the power to change people’s lives in a positive way.  Students and parents lead by their actions which results in accomplishing great things in our community.  They are the ones whose actions truly speak louder than words!! The ones who lead by example for others to follow.

We are thankful for the many Shorinji Kempo students and parents who give back to the community through their actions!!  Connor, Dinh, Tammy, Mike, Lily, Lana, Thomas, Nicholas, Yukiko, John, Gaganjyot, Justin, Lauren, Nathan, Corbin, Yamanaka, Alexandria, Noah, Musashi, Sheri, Tri and Charles.

Mike and Lisa’s continued dedication to their Work, Family and Shorinji Kempo is one to be followed.

Gassho!

Pankaj Rastogi

Orange County Branch

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April 28, 2015

Once again, Shokema branch contributed to helping the martial arts gala ‘Amako’, a non profit gala for a good cause, that took part on the 25th of April. This year the money collected was given to ‘Los ángeles malagueños de la noche’, an association that feeds poor people in Malaga city. The participants of Shokema, that were led by Toni sensei, made an amazing and tecnical exhibition that included all the main aspects of our discipline. The exhibition took place in Carranque sport center in Malaga, where Shokema has lessons on Monday and Wednesday from 21.00 to 22.30. Shokema association also practice every week on Tuesday and Thursday from 20.00 to 22.00, this workshop is realized in the bulding of the local goverment council in the disctrict of ‘Bailen-Miraflores’.IMG-20150425-WA0042 IMG-20150425-WA0045 IMG-20150425-WA0046 IMG-20150425-WA0048 IMG-20150426-WA0033 IMG-20150426-WA0036

April 20, 2015

Last April 12 the Shorinji Kempo Fifth National Children’s Gasshuku was held, spurred by the Portuguese Shorinji Kempo Federation, through its Technical Department, and with direct support from Oriental Branch in facilitating for the second time to this activity the access to excellent conditions of Basic School of Olaias. As has been tradition, this children seminar is exclusively and intentionally directed to the young Kenshi up to 12 years of age, while ensuring optimal conditions for Shorinji Kempo teaching, practice, and learning according to the specific characteristics of this population. Moreover, we privilege the contact between young Kenshi through the Shorinji Kempo, materializing one of the main features – Kumite Shutai (Paired practice is primary), and the principles of friendship, respect, mutual support, and cooperation. In addition, we aim that young Kenshi know about other Masters, Assistants, and Instructors and other Branch to understand the national reality in order to motivate them through the diversity of contacts and experiences. 80 Kenshi and 13 teaching staff between Masters, Assistants, and Instructors, all from current affiliates of the Federation gathered at this seminar, in its fifth consecutive year. Throughout the day many games were held, and many techniques and Tan En were learned and practiced. But most of all, we overcame the challenge put in the early stage – make new friends! All participants, later in the day, had developed new friendships and created new bonds that will continue to be deepened along the practice with other activities. The constant laughter and concentration of these young people and the energy of its strong Kiai foresee a beautiful future for the Shorinji Kempo in Portugal, and all of us will work so that these young people continue to like Shorinji Kempo and being best people through this singular martial art. One can not fail to point out a peculiarity of this seminar which was a novelty introduced by the Federation in relation to the Kenshi registration. Each participant had to ensure that part of her/his registration was held in foodstuffs to be distributed on the day to an institution selected by the Federation. The selected institution was Por1Fio – “by a thread” – (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Por1Fio-Associa%C3%A7%C3%A3o-Solid%C3%A1ria/374437659365747) that is dedicated to collecting goods from various categories to distribute for families and people who are literally “by a thread” in their lives with the difficulties that are going on. This institution, during that day, received between 140kg to 150kg of food (which we now know to have been spread over 8 needy families). With this gesture, the young Kenshi were able to see firsthand that a modest help makes a big difference when all come together, and that Shorinji Kempo is truly a form of social expression in the materialization of one of the most important maxims of Kaiso So Doshin “half for one’s own happiness and half for the happiness of others.” Later in the day the feeling could not be more rewarding and that of mission accomplished, and the votes that we turn to find the sixth seminar in 2016, where we expect even more Kenshi!

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Events of the 40th Anniversary of Shorinji Kempo in the UK – London, 2014

 

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With the generous support of the Japanese Embassy, an event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the UK Shorinji Kempo Federation was recently held over two beautiful days in London (August 2nd and 3rd, 2014).
The UK Shorinji Kempo Federation, whose first branch was established by Toshiaki Yoshida in 1974, turned forty this year.

As part of the celebrations, a 2-hour demonstration has held at the Shaw Theatre (100-110 Euston Rd, London NW1 2AJ).
At the demonstration, the federation was honoured by the presence of Hideki Asari, Envoy from the Embassy of Japan in the UK and many other guests.
Thirty members hailing from Europe and Japan joined their UK counterparts in executing the demonstration. Spectators,who were welcomed to the event with a pamphlet and handfolded origami crane, were treated to a powerful embu performance accompanied by a humour-filled commentary provided by the MC.

Bonds of friendship were formed as over 100 members and spectators from seven countries took part in the various study sessions and celebratory events which were held in conjunction with the demonstration.

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Mr. Hideki Asari,Envoy from the Embassy of Japan in the UK

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‘As part of the 40th anniversary commemorative celebrations, we weredelighted that a ‘This Is Shorinji Kempo’, a hardback book providing a comprehensive guide to Shorinji Kempo, was published in the UK. The book is available from all good bookstores and the purchases at the event showed the book to be very popular with both members of the public and Shorinji Kempo members who attended.’

Shorinji Kempo was founded in 1947 in Japan, when the Japanese citizen Doshin So drew on his studies of martial arts in China and envisioned it as a “gyo for nurturing people”. Shorinji Kempo is a unique defensive martial art whose methods employ a re-envisioning of Japanese martial arts and Chinese martial arts Shorinji Kempo, one of
the 9 member organizations that make up the Japanese Budo Association, is currently practiced by over 1.8 million members in 37 countries.
Shorinji Kempo focuses not just on the improvement of technique, but on the nurturing of the individual. 
One unique aspect of Shorinji Kempo is that its instructors, rather than being full time, provide their instruction
above and beyond their day-to-day jobs. It is the federationfs hope that Shorinji Kempo continues to find success in the UK.

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March 31, 2015

The high school in Seattle area holds the Japanese immersion camp for two days during the weekend in spring season.   This year it was March 21 at Chief Sealth International High School in the West Seattle.

The students, who study the Japanese as the 2nd language, they experience the Japanese culture through a lot of different events.  Because of some good students evaluations in the past, we were invited this year again to demonstrate Shorinji Kempo.  One of female students participated this year again and there were three Japanese students who were here for two weeks.

First, I explained the courtesy before they experience Chinkon-gyo.  You may find the students attitude change in photos before and after this lecture… All of them are good students and serious about the Japanese culture.

Then, we practiced the basic forms by sole after I explained the uniqueness of Shorinji Kempo techniques comparing Goho, Jyuho and Seiho to teeth, lips and tongue.  The forms we worked out together were meuchi, kintekigeri, shitauke for goho, kotenuki for jyuho and nokatsu for seiho.

For a new kenshi, I always ask what they do if they cannot find a paper towel in a restroom.  Everyone shows to shakes her/his hands.  Yes, it is the secret of meuchi !  Everyone needs to relax the whole arms including her/his fingers and wrists.

To understand one of the characteristics of Shorinji Kempo, they also practiced goho pairing with others.  They stroke the opponent stomach with meuchi and the partner practiced shitauke.  Of course, they need their partners for jyuho practice.

As one of safe seiho experience, I also showed nokatsu at noko(脳戸), hyakue(百絵) and tenchu (天柱)so that they can refresh themselves after they study hard.

Finally, with a loud kiai, all of them tried tenchiken da iichi(天地拳第一)together.

I believe that everyone could enjoy Shorinji Kempo workshop in 1hour30min., and they became more fan of Japan.  I also hope some of them will join in Shorinji Kempo as kenshi in the future or remember mutual respect through this workshop.

Gasshou,
Hiroshi Onaka
Junhanshi 6th Dan
Seattle Branch Master
Seattle Univ. Branch Master

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March 17, 2015

The 25th Portuguese Taikai gathered 150 Kenshi from seven branches, with childrens class being the most popular. In this ages only (who participated in the morning), almost 100 small Kenshi participated in Kumi Embu, Solo Embu or Group Embu, in a new record of participation from the younger classes.

The event organized by the Portuguese Shorinji Kempo Federation took place at Olivais Branch sports hall, belonging to ‘Externato João XXIII’, a private school in East Lisbon City, who has been an important partner of the Portuguese Federation for some time.

The public showed their interest for the childrens presentations and around 400 people (!) assisted happily in the morning session to tiny Kenshi from 4 years old, to more experienced youngers already Yudansha.

The audience and children were also very enthusiastic and vibrating with higher rank instructors presentations like: José Araújo Sensei (who was “thrown” to tatami by Martim Silva a four year old “tough” Kenshi…), Nuno Albuquerque Sensei (Group Embu and Waza with two of his assistants, Ivan and João), Joaquim Pereira Sensei (Randori with instructor Mr. Bruno Santos), Cristina Carriço Sensei and Carlos Henriques Sensei (with one of their high level Kumi Embu), among other instructors like Mr. José Ferreira, Mr. Sérgio Gaspar and a large group of Kenshi (from Paulo Silva Sensei).

The spirit was very high and strong among all Portuguese Federation branch masters (from Aljustrel, Carcavelos, Lisboa, Olivais, Oriental, Rato and Sintra), their Kenshi and families (who are extremely important with their support to Kenshi and teachers).

The unity among the leaders and all Yudansha of the Portuguese Federation is now better than ever, in order to continue to build a strong Shorinji Kempo in Portugal; and we hope to have a memorable year of 2015. Gassho!

José Araújo
Branch Master  Sintra Branch

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